Element

15: Chun-Li up in Here

Third Person POV

"Hero killer!" Endeavor roared, setting his hand on fire.

"Todoroki wait!" Gran Torino yelled.

At that moment, Stain turned around. His mask had fallen off, revealing his face, which was burned and disfigured.

"You false hero!" He sneered. "I'll make this right! These streets...must run with the blood of hypocrites! Hero! I will reclaim that word! Come on! Just try and stop me, you fakes! There is only one man I'll let kill me. He is a true hero! All Might is worthy!"

He stomped toward the crowd, drooling.

His presence was like nothing anyone there had ever felt before. His aura and bloodlust was so terrifying, that everyone was paralyzed with fear. They couldn't move.

Fear gripped Y/N's heart. She couldn't understand why one man could be so horrifying. She didn't even realize she had grabbed hold of Todoroki's hand, who had fallen to the ground next to her.

But then, Stain stopped. His eyes had turned white, and with a clatter, the knife he was holding tumbled to the floor. He was out cold.

Everyone started to take shaky breaths once again.

Y/N was surprised to find herself grasping tightly to Todoroki's hand, but was even more surprised to find him holding hers just as tightly. They looked at each other briefly before letting go.

"Sorry." Todoroki cleared his throat.

Y/N was shaking slightly. "That was—"

"I know." Todoroki said, looking back at Stain. "I know."

---------------

Midoriya, Y/N, Iida, and Todoroki were taken to the Hosu General Hospital. They were cleaned, and their wounds were treated. Y/N, due to the toll taken on her body, was able to sleep through the night. The other three did not have as much luck.

"Did you sleep at all, Midroiya?" Todoroki asked.

"Not really."

"I figured. Me neither."

It was morning, and the three boys had gotten up. Y/N appeared to still be lightly resting.

"Thinking about that fight now, we did something pretty amazing." Deku said.

"Yeah I agree."

"After everything that happened back there, it kind of feels like a miracle we're still alive. With my leg messed up, I was an easy target. He probably could have killed me if he really wanted to."

"Well, clearly he saw a true hero in you."

Y/N spoke, surprising them. She sat up, lazily brushing back hair from her face.

"Stain only wanted to purge those he considered false heroes. But you Deku — your selflessness and courage made you someone he was willing to spare. I think you should be honored — you too Todoroki."

"Oh — well, thank you I guess."

She got out from under the blankets, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her hospital gown was open, exposing her upper torso which was completely covered in bandages. Even though she was showing no skin, Deku and Iida looked away quickly, heat rising in their necks. However, Todoroki's eyes flicked down to her waist.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. "It looks like they patched you up pretty well."

"It feels like I've been run through a meat grinder, but other than that, I'm good. How about you guys?"